Abuse scandal cost US Church $120m last year

The clerical abuse scandal cost American dioceses nearly $A120 million last year, according to a report released by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, reports Catholic Culture/Ucanews.

Of the total of $A117,845,453, only 62% of those funds were allotted to settlements ($66 million) and therapy for abuse victims ($6.6 million). The remaining funds were spent on attorneys’ fees ($31.3 million), support for offenders ($11.3 million), and other costs ($2.6 million), according to the 2013 Report on the Implementation of the Charter for Protection of Children and Young People, released on March 28.

The clerical abuse scandal cost religious institutes an additional $15,590,273 in 2013. These expenses brought the total cost of the clerical abuse scandal to American dioceses and religious institutes between 2004-12 to $2.9m: $2.5m for dioceses and eparchies, and over $400,000 for religious institutes.